The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 035
Market Back Alley.
Petunia had slipped out in secret, her hood pulled low, heading toward the Beltria Textile Shop. Naturally, Morigan followed in her wake. He had come to deliver his report.
It was as she emerged from the back alley and turned onto the Main Street.
A carriage bearing the crest of House Bereidan passed by. Two escort knights followed in its wake, and through the curtains, I could see Cherez and Roana.
Petunia’s feet stopped. Her eyes narrowed within the hood.
Such distance between two who had entered into a political marriage. It meant Roana had burrowed deeper into the Bereidan Family than expected. Whether she was simply playing her role or had genuinely turned her allegiance—that would need to be confirmed in time.
But what mattered now was something else.
“Madam.”
Petunia could not tear her eyes from the departing carriage, even at Morigan’s low voice. They were heading toward Fashion Street. The escort knights had gone with them. Which meant—
Which meant the Mansion was empty.
She had been refused every request to see Hayden. They said the Duke would not permit it.
‘Insolent wretches.’
The excuses changed each time, but the conclusion remained the same. They had no intention of showing him to her.
If that were the case, there was no reason to wait.
“We return.”
Petunia turned sharply on her heel. Undetected by anyone, she made her way back to the Bereidan Duchy the way she had come, heading straight for the Main Hall.
“Duchess? What brings you here… The Duke and Duchess are currently away…”
She shoved aside the servant blocking her path.
“Out of my way!”
Petunia rushed up to the Second Floor. The knights guarding the Second Floor moved to block her, but she did not hesitate.
“Move aside at once! Have you forgotten who I am?”
Petunia forced her way through without restraint. Morigan aided her efforts. A Maid sitting before Hayden’s Room tried to block her path with loyalty.
Crack!
“Did you not hear me say to get out of the way? How dare you!”
Petunia kicked the Maid sprawled on the floor, then wrenched the door open and strode inside. Yureain and Hayden fixed her with cold stares.
Hayden had just woken from his nap and sat in his cradle, rubbing his eyes.
“Duchess, this is not appropriate. Without permission…”
“Permission? To see my own grandchild!”
Petunia shoved Yureain roughly aside. Yureain moved to block her again with equal force, but Morigan seized her.
“Release me! Duchess, you will come to regret this!”
Petunia said nothing, only staring down at the child. Then she reached out her hands.
She slipped her hands beneath Hayden’s arms and lifted him up. Like picking up an object.
Yureain gasped.
“Duchess!”
“Be quiet.”
Hayden dangled in the air, his gaze fixed on Petunia’s face.
Petunia paid him no mind. She brought her face close to the child’s.
“Undeniably alike.”
Petunia’s eyes moved downward.
“Unnecessarily robust.”
Hayden burst into tears.
“Waaaah!”
He was startled by Petunia’s iron grip. His small mouth opened wide, and his entire face flushed crimson. He thrashed his arms, struggling to be put down.
Petunia dropped Hayden into the cradle as though discarding an object.
“Young Master!”
“My business here is finished. Let’s go, Morigan.”
Yureain, who had been knocked to the ground by Morigan’s push, scrambled to her feet and scooped Hayden into her arms.
Petunia left all the commotion behind and returned to her room, stretching herself across the sofa.
Petunia murmured softly to herself.
“Hold the heir of the Bereidan Duchy, and you hold the Duke himself. Roana couldn’t possibly be ignorant of that.”
In Petunia’s eyes, Hayden shimmered—his appearance proving his bloodline to the Bereidan Duchy, and the child’s robust health.
This child would inevitably become an obstacle.
“Yet she still hesitates? Foolish woman. Despite all my teachings. Too much useless sentiment.”
Petunia gnashed her teeth. Her pupils gleamed with bestial intensity.
“What’s one small child I cannot handle.”
Petunia muttered ominously. And Linnen, who stood hunched in the corner of the room, heard every word.
Her ears perked up sharply.
‘W-what is this about?’

* * *
I returned to the Mansion. With crowds gathering, I judged that further outings would be impossible. Yet the moment I descended from the carriage, something felt amiss. The Maid standing before the entrance wore an unsettling expression.
“Duke. There is something I must report.”
“Speak.”
Cherez opened his mouth first.
“While the two of you were away, the Duchess of Hejest entered the Young Master’s Room on the second floor of the Main Building.”
My fingertips turned cold. In that instant, memories from Hejest returned to me. The sound of the Duchess opening the door. What followed in her wake. The terror that my body remembered.
The sound of the door closing echoed loudly in my ears.
“Is Hayden all right?”
I asked urgently.
“He is unharmed. However….”
The Maid chose her words carefully. This was not a good sign.
“The Duchess lifted the Young Master as though he were an object. There are no injuries, but he appeared greatly frightened.”
At those words, Cherez bolted up to the second floor. I followed close behind. My heart pounded violently.
I knew better than anyone how ruthlessly she had treated the child.
Hayden lay in Yureain’s arms with reddened eyes. Petechiae marked his face from how desperately he had cried and screamed.
The moment I saw those crimson marks, my insides twisted.
Hayden burst into tears and reached his arms toward me. I reflexively extended my arms and held him close, and he clung to my neck. His small fingers gripped my collar tightly, refusing to let go.
“It’s all right. I’m here. I’m sorry, Hayden. I’m truly sorry you had to endure such a thing.”
“There are bruises beneath his arms. She gripped him with such force….”
Yureain’s eyes were bloodshot and inflamed. That wasn’t all—one of her cheeks was swollen and red, as if she’d been struck.
Cherez watched everything unfold with an icy expression. The look in his eyes made my heart clench.
“Cherez….”
I patted Hayden’s back as he pressed his flushed face against my neck, breathing in ragged gasps.
“Hush now, hush…. It’s alright, Hayden. Nothing will happen to you anymore. You’re safe.”
At my whispered reassurances, the child’s whimpering gradually subsided. Hayden rubbed his face against the hollow of my neck.
“Hic…hic….”
“Yes, yes. I’m sorry I was late, Hayden. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
Cherez gently patted Hayden’s back with careful hands. His large palm moved with a tender, trembling motion.
I paced back and forth for a long time, cradling Hayden. Cherez followed uncertainly, hovering awkwardly beside me.
After what felt like an eternity, Hayden drifted off to sleep in my arms.
I was grateful beyond measure for that mercy.
I brushed back the child’s sweat-dampened hair. The baby was unharmed, and I still had a chance to make things right.
I needed time to recover myself. Perhaps I had been more frightened than Hayden.
And Cherez must have felt the same way.
I carefully laid Hayden down on the bed. His small hand gripped my fingers so tightly that I waited a long moment before gently extracting myself.
Looking at those small hands, I made a silent vow. I would never let go of them again.
My resolve hardened.
Cherez stared at the sleeping Hayden for a long time. He spoke softly.
“He’ll be alright, won’t he?”
“Now that he’s calmed down, it would be best to call the Physician when he wakes. Besides, he said there was nothing injured beyond the bruising….”
I drew in a deep breath.
A parent’s heart lurches at the slightest stumble, at the gentlest bump of a child’s head against something hard.
Cherez had gone deathly pale. I reached out and carefully took his arm.
“He truly will be alright. Children are stronger than we think, and they recover quickly. He’ll be smiling again soon.”
Cherez turned to look at me.
I wondered if his trust in me had shattered in those brief moments.
The Duchess had caused this accident while we were away.
He had every reason to suspect my betrayal.
But Cherez said:
“…Please. Take care of Hayden for me.”
He did not withdraw the heart he had entrusted to me. That left me speechless.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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